KUCHING: Members of Parliament (MPs) should respect the Sarawak Legislative Assembly’s (DUN) decision and endorse the proposed addition of 17 state seats in accordance with the Federal Constitution.
According to Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Parliament’s role is to endorse the amendment passed by the Sarawak DUN to enable the increase in the number of state seats to be implemented.
“Parliament has convened three times since the Bill was passed by the Sarawak DUN, yet there has been no move by the federal government to table it for endorsement.
“The Sarawak DUN is the highest law-making body in the state and its decision should be respected by all parties, including Parliament,” he told reporters after a press conference on the Malam Amal Legends charity dinner today (June 30).
Abdul Karim said the proposed increase in state seats should not be politicised, stressing that it was a matter concerning Sarawak’s constitutional rights.
“The MPs only need to endorse and respect the decision made by the Sarawak DUN. This is the Sarawak government’s right, and almost all assemblymen unanimously supported the Bill.”
The Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts said the increase in Sarawak’s state seats had no bearing on the number of parliamentary seats or state seats in other parts of the country.
“The number of state seats in other states is for them to decide, while parliamentary seats are determined at the federal level. We respect that.
“So, this should not become a political issue because the increase in Sarawak’s DUN seats has nothing to do with other states or parliamentary constituencies.”
He added that once the amendment receives parliamentary approval, the Election Commission (EC) would proceed with the constituency redelineation process before the new seats could be implemented.
Abdul Karim also expressed disappointment that the amendment is unlikely to take effect before the 13th Sarawak Election due to delays in obtaining parliamentary endorsement.
“There has been no effort to table the matter in Parliament for approval, so the Bill cannot be implemented for now.
“If it is not endorsed before the coming state election, Sarawak may have to wait until the next election cycle, about five years later, before the additional seats can be used.”
In July last year, the Sarawak DUN unanimously passed the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025 to increase the number of state seats from 82 to 99. However, the proposal remains subject to parliamentary approval and the completion of the EC’s redelineation exercise before it can be gazetted and enforced.
